Cradle for lifeboats



Jan. 10, 1933. w MACHADQ 1,893,866

CRADLE FOR LIFEBOATS Filed Dec. 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I nvenlor Wax/mm fiaaka/da,

Jan. 10', 1933. w, MACHADQ 1,893,866

CRADLE FOR LIFEBOATS Filed Dec. 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet Inventor Wp'ZZa'am 1Wd6&a Q70,

2W By QM g J4 Home y Patented Jan. Ml, 19333 seasee CRADLE FOB. LIFEBQATS Application filed December 8, 1931. Serial No. FIE/M3.

his invention relates to a cradle for life boats, the general object of this invention being to provide means for facilitating the launching of life boats from ships and the like, and also for picking up of life boats by ships and the like.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several 9 parts to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and soecificaly pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a device showing a life boat th rein in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a section on line l l of Fig. 3. M Fig. 5 is an end View.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6, of Fig. 3.

As shown in these views, the cradle is of substantially boat-shape and is of course made of a size for use with life boats for which it is to be used, and the device comprises a longitudinally arranged member 1 having a substantially straight part forming the keel of the device with its ends turned upwardly as at 2 with the side members 3 of bowed construction and having their ends fastened to the parts 2 of the member 1 ad jacent the extremities of the parts 2 by the rivets 4. The transversely extending members 5 have their central portions connected with the member 1 as shown at 7 and their ends connected to the members 3 as shown at 8.

The member 1 has its intermediate portion of arcuate shape in cross section with its v concaved face uppermost to receive the keel of the boat with its ends 2 slightly flattened at their upper ends.

The central part of each transverse member 5 is shaped to fit over the convex part of the member 1 and the q rest of said member being also of arcuate shape in cross section as shown in l.

The members 3 are of substantially semi-circular shape in cross section with their con cavities facing outwardly to receive the ropes 9 which are suitably fastened therein as shown at 9 and form bumpers for the de vice.

The upper ends of the members 5 are curved and fit in the members 3 as shown in Fig. 3.

U-members 10 have the ends of their limbs passing through holes in the upper ends of the parts 2, after which said ends are bent over as shown at 11 to hold these Unnembers 10 in place.

From the foregoing it will be seen the device forms a cradle for a life boat such as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the gear usually used for lowering and raising the life boats is attached to the members 10. The device with the life boat therein is placed on the deck where life boats are usually carried and when ready to lower, the device and the boat is swung out and lowered in the us ual manner.

If the sea is smooth, the boat is lowered until it strikes the water and the device is further lowered so that the boat can float therefrom. in rough seas, the device can be lowered into the trough of the sea so that the rise of the water will float the boat and passengers. l Vhen'a boat with passengers therein is to be brought on board, the device is lowered in the water deep enough so that the boat can be brought directly over it,

and then the device is lifted up so as to receive the boat, and then lift the boat with its passengers to the deck of the ship. Both in launching and raising life boats the passengers can remain in their seats.

By formin the loops 11 on the ends of Li -members 10 a current or swell will cause the blocks to swing the U-members downwardly and thus these parts will not interfere with the floating of the boat from the device.

it is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

it is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is A device of the class described comprising a longitudinally extending member having its ends curved upwardly, outwardly bowed side members having their ends connected to the upper portions of the last-mentioned member, substantially yoke-shaped transversely extending members having their central parts connected to the intermediate portions of the first-mentioned member, and their ends connected to the side members, said side members having grooves in their outer faces, and ropes or the like located in said grooves, U-shaped members connected with the upper end of the first-mentioned member, said first-mentioned member being arcuate shaped in cross section with its concaved face uppermost to receive the keel of the boat.

In testimony whereof I afilx my signature.

WILLIAM MACHADO. 

